Here is the list of my ten favorite wines I tasted in 2016 1)   2010 Binomio Montepulcian d'Abruzzo Riserva  $52 - 93 Points Rich, silky, dark, plum, cherry, smooth tannin with the perfect fruit intensity. Wonderful with my veal chop 2) 2012 Ayoub Pinot Noir Thistle Vineyard $45 - 92 Points Wonderful!! The perfect combination of cherry and earth. Very smooth with an outstanding finish. Wow! 3) 2011 Renieri Brunello di Montalcino $38 - 91 Points Smooth and Lush, blueberry, dark stone fruit, and leather. Wonderful balance. Paired wonderfully with marinara sauce and Italian sausag e. 4)  2012 Ayoub Pinot Noir Memoirs $45 - 91 Points  Fruity but not jammy, smooth, medium body. Cherry with a hint of pepper at the finish. Nice! 5)  2013 Joesph Phelps Pinot Noir Freestone Vineyards $44 - 91 Points  Outstanding wine that starts out a bit muted buy builds to an amazing finish. Red cherry, w...

Mrs.Wine Guy  and I had a few free days between the holidays so we took a couple of those days to do some wine tasting in Santa Barbara county.  It is one of our favorite places to go because first and foremost the wine is always good, the scenery is beautiful,  it is not crowed, and the tasting fees and wine prices are generally reasonable. Day one we focused on some old favorites and made a new discovery along the Foxen Canyon Road, and day two we visited the Lompoc Wine Ghetto.  We also made a stop at the Hitching Post Restaurant/Winery in Buellton.   The Hitching Post you may recall is the restaurant where the Virginia Madsen (Maya) character works in the movie Sideways.  The movie is credited with putting Santa Barbara wines on the map, increasing the popularity of Pinot Noir, and killing the demand for Merlot (If you have seen the movie you understand).  The restaurant features steaks grilled over an open oak fueled fire and a variety of o...